Promise and despair

Born in South Africa in 1950, Martin Plaut received his first degree from the University of Cape Town before going on to do an MA at the University of Warwick. In 1984 he joined the BBC, working primarily on Africa. He has reported from many parts of the continent but specialised in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa. He became Africa editor, BBC World Service News, in 2003 and retired from the BBC in 2013. He then joined the Institute of Commonwealth studies as senior research fellow. In April and May 2013 he was based at the University of Cape Town as writer in residence at the centre for African studies. Martin Plaut has advised the Foreign & commonwealth office and the US State department. For two years he was an associate fellow of the Royal institute of international affairs, leading their Africa research programme, and continues to be an active member of Chatham house and the Royal African society. Publications include Who rules South Africa?, Jonathan Ball, 2012 (with Paul Holden).

• 1: Setting sail; 2: South Africa's troubled century; 3: Scorched earth and broken promises; 4: From war to Union; 5: London: Friends and allies; 6: London: Campaigning for non-racialism; 7: London: The parliamentary struggle; 8: London: Gandhi's campaign; 9: 'The blow has fallen': The reality of Union; 10: Gandhi: Defeat and victory; 11: Aftermath: The road to war; 12: Conclusion.

'This is a very well-written, lively and interesting account, with vivid descriptions and fascinating information about individuals. It is a great story, one that has been told in outline before, but this tells it from a number of new angles, is now the most comprehensive account, one that is well-researched, and draws on a host of recent relevant secondary works along with primary research.' - Professor Christopher Saunders, University of Cape Town